Day 1: Explore Bygdøy peninsula
If you google the most boring Capital in Europe, Oslo will probably pop up undeservingly. Oslo is one of the very few capitals where nature lovers, arts lovers and history lovers could find everything they aspire to without even having to step out of the city. Very quiet, serene, extremely clean (even cleaner than Stockholm) and friendly, the city probably gained this reputation due to its not so vibrant night life. But if you are a morning person this is definitely a place where you will not want to leave.
Start your first day by exploring Bygdøy peninsula on the west side of the city centre. Here you find several of Oslo’s most popular museums, all with free access using the Oslo Pass.
Start your first day by exploring Bygdøy peninsula on the west side of the city centre. Here you find several of Oslo’s most popular museums, all with free access using the Oslo Pass.
Norwegian Folk Museum
Very similar to Stockholm's Skansen but with a totally different twist and feeling, the Nordic Folk Museum is one of Europe's largest open-air museums, with 155 traditional houses from all parts of Norway. The highlight of the place for me was the Stave Church and beautiful and quiet unique construction that dates from the year 1200. It's a place to enjoy traditional handicraft items, folk costumes, Sami culture and definitely long walk in the wilderness. You can also visit ancient art studios and experience the evolution of Norwegian home decoration and furniture from the beginning of the 20th century till today. |
The Polar Ship Fram Museum
Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south. Unlike the Stockholm's Vasa Museum, Fram is still as strong as it used to be in the old days, so you can even go on board of the ship and experience how the crew and their dogs survived. The museum also has a polar simulation so you can feel yourself the cold and dangers of polar expeditions hundreds of years ago. Interesting in sailing? Here you can also learn to identify the different stars constellations in the sky that the sailors use as a guidance in their expeditions. |
The Kon-Tiki Museum
Located in the vicinities of Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum houses original vessels and artifacts from the world-renowned expeditions of Thor Heyerdahl, one of the most famous scientists, adventurers and environmental campaigners of all time. |
Enjoy the scenic view at Bygdøy
Before you leave, make sure to sit by the shore Bygdøy and enjoy the view of the boats harbored by the shore. Take the bus on your way back to Oslo City Center and contemplate the magnificent greenery this city has to offer. You will also find cows roaming the area in the morning. |
Day 2: Adventure, Arts and Politics in Oslo
Holmenkollen Ski Jump
Holmenkollen is a ski jumping hill located a bit far from the city center but inside Oslo. I think it's the only ski station inside a capital. You will need a lot of energy and walk hilly areas to reach it, so start very early in the morning, also to avoid the long queue. First visit the Ski Museum to get a bit acquainted with over 4000 years of ski history. Then, take the elevator to reach the top of the ski tower, where you will have the best panoramic view ever over Oslo, including the Fjords. If you are into adventure and want a unique Oslo view experience, book a zip line jump on the top of the tower, where you will be attached with a zip liner and experience a very safe jump from 300m of altitude (it costs 600 Kroners). Too scared? you then try the ski simulator (by paying 120 Kroners only). |
Munch Museum
Do you know this famous painting called the Scream, where Van Gogh is depicted screaming and holding both ears? I might be a bit ignorant when it comes to art, but all my life I thought it was self-portrait of drew by Van Gogh, just to discover when in Oslo that the actual painter is Edvard Munch, one of the most, if not the most, renowned Nordic painters, who is considered a pioneer in expressionism. A highly recommended attractions, even if you are not much into arts, but the painting in real with the set up, the lighting and the color nuances will stir too many feelings within. There are also many other artistic works by Munch to be discovered in the museum. |
Norwegian National Opera
Now, back to the city center. Have a walk in the vicinities of the central station from where you can reach the Oslo Opera, with its unique and ultra-modern triangular glass construction. Located right at the harbor, with an angled, white exterior that appears to rise from the water. No worries if you don't get inside to save time (I didn't). But make sure to climb its roof and enjoy panoramic views of Oslo and the fjord, all year round. Also have a look at the glass boat installed just in the middle of the sea. |
Aker Brygge
From the opera, have a walk in Aker Brygge, and stunning a and popular area along the harbor. The architecture at Aker Brygge is distinctive, with its combination of old, venerable shipyard buildings and modern architecture. You will find many shops, but also restaurants, bars and cafes to rest a little bit, before heading to the Nobel Peace Center. |
Nobel Peace Center
I visited the Nobel Peace Center twice on this day. The visit itself won't take so much of your time but unlike Stockholm's Nobel Museum, the way the Oslo one is designed with so much interactivities and innovation will make you want to experience it over and over again. The center has an exciting combination of changing and permanent exhibitions that promote popular interest in issues relating to war, peace and conflict resolution and allows the visitors to interact and post their opinions about these issues. During my visit the main exhibition was focused on social media and democratic transitions. Once you write an opinion on the exhibitions screens, it will be displayed in a big circular room, where visitors can enter, read different opinions, like or dislike them. The Peace Prize laureates are all presented on digital screens in the Nobel Field, a garden of 1000 fibre-optic lights. So for Egyptians who are looking forward to seeing President Sadate or Mohammed Baradei, don't expect to find them in the Nobel Museum in Stockholm, but rather the Oslo one. |
Oslo City Hall
To have a complete overview of Nobel Peace Prize, don't forget to stop by Oslo City Hall located just beside the Nobel museum. It is the city's administrative body and the seat of the City Council. But also this where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place each year on the 10th of December, in presence of the peace laureates and the Norwegian King.
To have a complete overview of Nobel Peace Prize, don't forget to stop by Oslo City Hall located just beside the Nobel museum. It is the city's administrative body and the seat of the City Council. But also this where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place each year on the 10th of December, in presence of the peace laureates and the Norwegian King.
Day 3: Explore Oslo's nature
For an extra day in Oslo, and if the weather allows it, I would highly recommend you spend it in the nature of Oslo Fjords. They are within reach from Oslo where you will need to take the right ferry, using your Olso Pass. There are many fjords, so you have to make a choice and know the right boat to take. Maybe the best option is to spend the day in Gressholmen, Heggholmen and Rambergøya. The three islands are connected and the islands Gressholmen and Rambergøya offer great possibilities for swimming and sunbathing, and Heggholmen has one of the oldest lighthouses in the Oslo Fjord. The bay between Gressholmen and Rambergøya is an important nesting area for sea birds.
If the fjords are not an option for that day, here are some alternatives:
If the fjords are not an option for that day, here are some alternatives:
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Vigelandsparken is one of Norway's most visited attractions with more than 1 million visitors every year. The unique sculpture park is the life work of the sculptor Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron. |
Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress is an old castle that dates back to 1299. Located in the city centre by the Oslo Fjord, it is a great place to discover Oslo's history. The fortress could also be viewed from the Aker Brygge harbor. |
Ibsen Museum
If you are into literature, then you must be familiar with the famous Norwegian playwriter, Henrik Ibsen. The museum features Ibsen's life and work, in addition to his private home. |
Magic Ice Bar
If you want to experience something new, end the day and the trip to Oslo by spending the night at the Magic Ice Bar, in the City Center. The ticket is a little bit expensive (160 Kroners), but it's definitely something to try at least once in a lifetime. Once you enter, the stuff will dress you in a wide thermic coat and gloves because, as you might have guessed, you are literally entering inside a refrigerator. At the magic ice, everything is made of ice, even the glasses, the bar, and the chairs on which you sit! They also display an exhibition of illuminated sculptures made of ice, and installations with colorful LED lighting. And definitely, expect to see Munch's Scream ice sculpture inside. |